Synchronizing mechanism



Feb. 5, 1952 J1 A. WAGNER 2,584,645

SYNCHRONIZING MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 III l I 3434 8 25 11 f 5 I MD 7/ 7? 76 L 80 r .l n 80 U? I i|'|| 7 u U 2 III N DFeb. 5, 1952 J. A. WAGNER 2,584,645

SYNCHRONIZING MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1948 4 SheetSSheet 2 Feb. 5, 1952WAGNER 2,584,645

SYNCHRONIZING MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet m N E R QI/VI F/V TOE JOSEPH/7. WNGYVE)? N M Feb. 5, 1952 J. A. WAGNER ISYNCHRONIZING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1948 e K Q A 3mm M w c NW m \w m\ i 7 W 9% 5 wmv m3 & y E s y w a ETTY;

v i Q N\\ Q? Q U Q a a {Hu 5 g mw Patented Feb. 5, 1952 SYNCHRONIZINGMECHANISM Joseph A. Wagner, Verona, Pa., assignor to Wagneradio Company,Verona, Pa., a corporation Application June 14, 1948, Serial No. 32,811

9 Claims. 1

The invention relates to an apparatus for synchronizing the movementbetween two machines but it has particular relation to a system forsynchronizing a motion picture film, with a sound record made on anothermedium, such as a phonograph disc.

In the making of sound picture films it is frequently the case that theoriginal sound record and the picture record is first recorded onseparate media. If the sound record is to be used as an appropriateaccompaniment to the picture, then it is essential that the motor whichdrives the picture film be governed by the speed at which the soundrecord is reproduced.

Among the objects of the invention are to put into practice the abovementioned purposes, the invention further comprehending the use of apicture program upon a strip of film in which the film will beautomatically moved one frame at a time in synchrony with the beginningof the production on the sound record of sound pertaining to the frameof the picture then being moved into display position, regardless ofwhether the sound on the sound record be speaking, or other soundeffects and in which the shifting of the pictures is controlledautomatically by the operation of the sound record or the driving meansfor the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliableelectro-mechanical synchronizing device for operating a plurality ofmotors synchronously, at constant speed, under control of'one of themotors. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description and the drawings.

In a sound picture control system constructed in accordance with thisinvention the motion picture machines, and the sound reproducing machineare operated by their own separate motors not only that the machine maybe located at any desired distance from each other, but because existingcameras, projectors and sound equipment may be used. The motorsoperating the motion picture machine and the sound machine areelectrically interlocked and are controlled to start in phase and tooperate synchronously.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may now be had tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a synchronizing apparatus constructed inaccordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the invention, taken substantially alongline 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the invention, taken substantially alongline 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of an apparatus constructed in accordancewith the invention, together with a wiring diagram in its simplest form.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view disclosing a clutch structure asused in the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the invention, when used with aprojector or camera and sound apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a. plan view of a switching apparatus as used on theprojector.

Fig. 8 is an elevation view of a switch as used on the sound apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a synchronizing apparatus installed in a caseor carrying box.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a projector or motion picturemachine I0 is shown connected to a motor II by means indicated at I2 anda phonograph or sound reproducing machine I3 is shown connected to amotor M by means of shaft l5. The motors II and M are interconnected toa source of power, not shown, by wires l6, l1 and plug l8, through wiresI9, 20, 2| and switch 23. In accordance with the invention, the speed ofthe shaft driven by motor II, is controlled at a constant value withrespect to the speed of the shaft driven by the motor II.

To accomplish this, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, a mechanism 26, having aframe 21 is provided with a shaft 28, mounted in suitable bearings 29,and driven by means of a motor 3|, through a belt drive 32. Mounted onthe shaft 28, intermediate the ends thereof is a two part rotatableswitch, formed of a switch element 33 and a switch element 34, separatedby a collar 35, secured to the shaft by set screw 36. The switch element33 is formed with a bushing 38 rotatably mounted on the shaft andsupporting a nonconducting element 39, on which are mounted slip rings4| and 42.

Secured to one face of the element 39 are conductor elements 44 and 45,and non-conducting element 46, formed in segments to providesubstantially, an annular member, with element 45 being substantiallysmaller than the contact 44, or the element 46. An electrical wire 49,operatively connects segment 44 to slip ring 4| and wire 50 connectssegment 45 to slip ring 42. Brushes 5| and 52 areprovided in contactrelation with rings 4| and 42respectively, and these in turn areconnected to the rheostat 55 3 through wires 53 and 54, with Wire 53extending to one terminal of motor II.

The switch element 34 is formed with a bushing 60, rotatably mounted onthe shaft and supporting a nonoonducting element 6i, on which is mounteda slip ring 62. Mounted on the member 8I is an arm or brush 53, havingwire 84 connected to the slip ring 52. A brush E6 is provided in contactrelation with slip ring 62 and brush 68 is connected to power line I5,through wire 67.

Mounted on the bushings 38 and 60, are gears 10, forming a part ofelements 33 and 34 which are rotatably driven with shaft 28 by means ofslipping clutches "II, which may be of the so called pin type, as shownin Figure 2, or they may be formed with a collar I2 rigidly secured tothe shaft 28 by screws 13 and a pressure member I4, driven by a coilspring 15, disposed between and attached to, the collar "I2 and themember 14.

With the motor 3| in operation, shaft 28 turns and switch elements 33and 34 rotate until limited by projections 80 on escapement members I8and I9 respectively, said escapements being so constructed that one orthe other of the projections 80, on each escapement is at all times inposition to limit the rotation of the respective escapement gear I0,thus limiting the rotation of the assemblies 33 and 34. Due to theaction of the clutches II, the motor 3I and the shaft 28 continue torotate imparting motion to the elements 33 and 34 only upon thedisplacement of the respective escapements. The escapements i8 and 19are each free to turn on a shaft 8|, which is secured in the frame 21,by screws 82, with members I8 and I9 secured in position by means ofcotter pins or the like. Each member I8 and I9 is provided, at itsextremities, with a plate 84 adapted to engage the face of magnets 86and 81.

Stops 90 are provided to limit the downward movement of the escapements.Upon energizing a magnet, the plate 84 moves into engagement with theface 85, as shown in Fig. 3 and upon de-energizing the magnet theescapement is returned to the original position by a spring 89. Thisposition is determined by the stops 90. In the action of the escapement,the assemblies 33 and 34 rotate the distance of one tooth uponenergizing or de-energizing of the respective magnets. No motion isimparted to the gear by the movement of the escapement, the latterserving only to limit and control the motion as imparted to theassemblies 33 and 34, through the clutches II by the rotating shaft 28.

The magnet 86 is operatively connected to the lines I6 and II, by meansof wires 92 and 93 through switch 94, actuated by motor II, with magnet81 connected to lines I6 and IT by means of wires I9, 20, 95 and 96,through a switch 98, actuated by motor I4. The rheostat 55 is providedwith a knob I for manual adjustment in phasing the synchronizingapparatus and synchronism is indicated by a lamp IOI connected to theelectrical circuit. As shown in Figure 9 the adjustment for phasing thesynchronizing apparatus, may be installed on the outside of a containeror carrying case I02, having an opening I03 for the lamp IOI.

To assist in visualizing the operation of the invention in its simplestform, as shown in Figure 4, in which no provision has been made forphasing, the plug I8 is connected to a source of power (not shown),switch 23 is closed, starting motor 3|, which rotates shaft 28 and theswitch other end connects to plug members 33 and 34, by means of theclutch members II.

The motor I4 also starts, opening and closing the switch 98, which inturn energizes or deenergizes magnet 81. This allows the member 34 torotate of a revolution, when employing an escapement gear with thenumber of teeth as shown in the drawings, for each closing and openingof the switch 90. If the brush 63 is positioned in contact with element45, the motor II will start with motor I4, through circuit includingrheostat 55. Should brush 63 contact the element 46 when motor I4 isstarted, motor I I will not operate, until brush 63 as rotated withelement 34, contacts element 45. However if brush 63 contacts element 44on starting of motor I4, motor II will operate, turning 33 at a greaterrate of speed than that of 34, until the contact brush 63 engages theelement 45, reduc ing the speed of the motor II, due to the resistanceof the rheostat 55 in the circuit. With motor II operating the shaft I2closes and opens switch 94, energizing and de-energizing magnet 85. Thisallows the member 33 to rotate ,6 of a revolution for each closing andopening of the switch 94, when employing an escapement gear with thenumber of teeth as shown in the drawmgs.

In practicing the invention, as shown in Figure 6, the projector ormotion picture machine I0, having a film I05, driven by a motor IIthrough the shaft I2 is provided with a switch I06. In the embodiment ofthe invention as shown, the film I05, mounted on reel I0"! is threadedover sprocket I08, thence past the film gate of the machine, oversprocket H0 and wound on take-up reel III. Sprockets I08, 0 and take-upreel III are all driven by motor II through shaft I2. The switch I05 ispositioned between the film gate and the sprocket H0 and is formed of asprocket II2 with projections H3. The sprocket II2, mounted on a shaftH5 is rotated by the travel of the film I05, through the machine I0. Asshown in Figure 7, the other end of the shaft H5 supports'a contactroller IIIi, a portion of which is formed with an electrical conductorsurface III and a non-conducting surface II8.

One end of the contact brushes I20 and I2I, engage the contact rollerIIB, while the other ends thereof are connected to wires I22 and I23respectively. Wires I22 and I23 are connected to the poles a and b of afour pole plug I25, with one end of the conductor I26 connected to polec of the plug and the other end connected to the motor 11. One end ofconductor I27 connects to pole d of plug I25, while the I32. The otherterminal of motor II is connected to plug I32 by wire I30. The plug I32is connected to wires I6 and I"! by conductors I33, I34, and switch I35.

A sound recorder or phonograph I38, having a turntable I39, the speed ofwhich controls the speed of the motor II is provided with a shaft I5,driven by the motor I4, having wires I 4| and I42 connected to poles aand b of a four pole plug I43. A switch I45, as shown in detail inFigure 8, formed with a member I46 provided with an opening for a pinI41 engaging the record is mounted on one end of a shaft I48, mounted onthe arm I50. Attached to the other end of the shaft I48 is a cam I5Iadapted to engage a roller I52, operating contact members I53, in a makeand break operation. Wires I55 and I56 are connected to the contactmembers I53 and extend to poles c and d of the plug I43. The motor I4 isconnected to the wires I6 and I1 through poles at and b of plug I6I, byconductors I59 and I68, through switch I35.

The synchronizing apparatus 26 is interconnected to the projector orcamera and record turnable by means of conductor I62 connected at oneend to pole a of plug I63 and the other end connected to magnet 86.

One end of a conductor I64 is connected to pole b of the plug I63 andthe other end to wire I65, connected to motor 3I and wire I1. ConductorI10 is at one end connected to the pole d of plug I6I and at the otherend to magnet 81, while wire I69 connects pole c of the plug I6I to wireI1 through conductor I65. Wire I66, connected to wire I61, extendingfrom magnets 86 to 81, operatively connects motor 3I and the magnets, towire I6 through wire I13, switch I12, wire I34 and switch I35.

To complete the circuit with motor II, as shown in Figure 6, thecontacts 44 and 63 are provided with wires I and I16, connected to wiresI 11 and I18 respectively. Conductor I11 is connected at one end to polec of plug I63, while the other end connects a terminal of the lamp IOIthrough wire I88 to the rheostat 55, while conductor I18 connects pole dof plug I63 and the other terminal of lamp IDI. The contact is providedwith a wire I19 connecting to the rheostat 55.

In operation, the structure shown in Figure 6 is similar to thatdescribed for the apparatus in Figure 4, except that manual phasing ofthe apparatus is provided. This is accomplished by closing switches I35and I12, after which rheostat is adjusted until lamp I8I shows a steady,dim light, which indicates that the apparatus is in phase. This is trueonly when contact arm 63, makes contact with the contact element 45 ofthe switch element 33. Switch I12 is then opened and when synchronizingapparatus remains in phase, light IOI will remain dim, after which,switch I35 is opened and switch I12 is closed.

The sound record is then positioned on the turntable, with the needle ina previously marked groove and the film threaded in the projector orcamera, in the usual manner, but with a start mark in the gate. SwitchI35 is now closed, which r starts motors II, I4 and 3I completingcircuit to magnets 66 and 81, that are energized by action of theswitches I86 and I45 respectively. The remainder of the operation issimilar to that as described for the structure shown in Figure 4.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described toillustrate the application of the principles thereof, it will beunderstood that the invention may be otherwise embodied, withoutdeparting from the principles thereof, or departing from the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A synchronizing system comprising an independently driven,continuously rotated shaft, a two element rotary switch freely mountedon the shaft, the switch elements electrically connected to control thespeed of a controlling apparatus with the speed of a controlledapparatus, friction clutches mounted on the shaft, the clutches engagingthe elements of the switch for transmitting rotary motion of the shaftto the switch elements, a gear mounted on each of the switch elements,said gears operatively '6 associated with escapements actuated byelectromagnets, one electromagnet being energized by the operation ofthe controlling apparatus, the other electromagent energized by theoperation of the controlled apparatus.

2. A synchronizing system comprising an independently driven,continuously rotated shaft, a two element rotary switch mounted on theshaft, the switch electrically connected to control the speed of acontrolling apparatus with the speed of a controlled apparatus, frictionclutches mounted on the shaft, the clutches engaging the elements of theswitch for transmitting rotary motion-of the shaft to the switchelements, a gear mounted on each of the switch elements, escapementsoperatively associated with the gears the escapements being oscillatedby electromagnets, one of the electromagnets being energized byelectrical impulses provided by the controlling apparatus, the otherelectro magnet being energized by electrical impulses from the operationof the controlled apparatus, the escapements so positioned with respectto the rotation of the gears that as one pallet of the escapementsreleases a tooth of the gear, the opposite pallet on the escapement isentering forward of another tooth, thus permitting a travel of one toothon the gear at each oscillation of the escapement.

3. A synchonizing system comprising an independently driven,continuously rotated shaft. a two element rotary switch freely mountedon the shaft, a pair of friction clutches mounted on the shaft, theclutches engaging the elements of the switch for transmitting rotarymotion of the shaft to the switch, means including a gear mounted oneach of the switch elements to arrest rotary motion of the switch andelectromagnets connected to the above mentioned means to permit rotationof the switch elements with the shaft upon energizing of saidelectromagnets, one electromagnet being energized by the operation ofthe controlling apparatus and the other electromagnet being energized bythe operation of the controlled apparatus.

4. A synchronizing system comprising an independently driven,continuously rotated shaft, a two element rotary switch freely mountedon the shaft, each of said switch elements formed with an escapementgear, friction clutches mounted on the shaft adjacent each of the switchelements, the rotation of the shaft through the clutches providingtorque for said switch elements but providing'no rotation of the switchuntil displacement of an escapement operates the gear, therebypermitting rotation of the switch elements as determined by the numberof teeth on each gear, one escapement for each gear, each of saidescapements being actuated by electromagnets, one electromagnetelectrically connected to a controlling apparatus, the otherelectromagnet connected to the controlled apparatus, each of theapparatuses to be synchronized having means for providing an equalnumber of pulses to the electromagnets, when both apparatuses are insynchronism, the two element rotary switch by the displacement of theelements varying an impedance in the circuit of a motor operating one ofthe apparatuses to be synchronized.

5. A synchronizing system comprising a switch operated by a controllingapparatus, a switch operated by a controlled apparatus, each of theswitches connected to provide a series of electrical pulses from each ofthe apparatuses, a pair of electromagnets, intermittently energized bythe two series of pulses, a pair or escapeinents actuated by theelectromagnets, each of the escapements operating one of a pair ofgears, a two element rotary control switch operatively associated withre gears, an independently driven, continuously rotated shaftsupporting; said rotary switch, the rotary motion of the shafttransmitted to the rotary switch elements by means of friction drives,said friction drives rotating each rotary switch element on displacementof its escapement, the drives slipping to permit rotation of theindependently driven shaft, at such times as the rotary motion or"either rotary switch element is prevented by the escapement, therelative displacement of the rotary switch elements regulating the speedor" the apparatus to be controlled.

6. A synchronizing system comprising a switch operated by a controllingapparatus, a switch operated by a controlled apparatus, each of theswitches connected to provide a series of elec trical pulses from eachof the apparatuses, means including a pair of escapements intermittentlyactuated by the pulses, each of the escapements rotating one of a pairof gears, a two element rotary control switch operatively associated wih. the gears, an independently driven, continuously rotated shaftsupporting said rotary switch elements and gears, the rotary motion ofthe shaft transmitted to the rotary switch by means of friction drives,said friction drives rotating each rotary switch element on displacementof its escapement, the drives slipping to permit rotation oi theindependently driven shaft, at such times as the rotary motion of eitherrotary switch element is prevented by the esoapement, the relativedisplacement of the rotary switch elements regulating the speed or" theapparatus to be controlled.

. '7, A synchronizing system comprising a switch operated by acontrolling apparatus, a switch operated by a controlled apparatus, eachof the switches electrically connected to a source or power, with eachof the switches formed on their respective apparatuses to provide aseries of pulses at identical rates when both apparatuses are insynchronism, a pair of electromagnets energized respectively by the twoseries of pulses, a pair of escapements operated by the electromagnets,each of said escapements when at rest preventing rotation of escapementgears, each of said gears mounted concentric with one element of a twoelement rotary control switch, an independently driven, continuouslyrotated shaft supporting the switch elements, a pair of frictionclutches mounted on the shaft adjacent the rotary switch elements fortransmitting rotary motion to the switch, said clutches rotating eachrotary switch element upon displacement of its respective escapement,the clutches slipping to permit continuous rotation of the independentlydriven shaft, when movement of the rotary switch elements are preventedby the escapements, the rotary switch elements connected into thecircuit of the apparatus to be controlled so as to vary an impedance inthe circuit of the apparatus to be controlled when said elements aredisplaced relative to each other about their axis, the rotary switchelements each rotating at a speed as determined by the relative speed atwhich the controlling and controlled apparatuses are operating, saidelements being displaced on change of speed or either of saidapparatuses, the displacement providing an ii-- pedance change in thecircuit of the apparatus being controlled, said impedance change beingsuch as to correct the relative speed of the apparatus causing thedisplacement.

8. A synchronizing system comprising a switch operated by a controllingapparatus, a switch formed with a roller having a portion of its faceprovided of non-conducting material, the switch actuated by a controlledapparatus, each of the switches connected to provide a series ofelectrical pulses from each of the apparatuses, an independently driven,continuously rotated shaft, a two element rotary switch mounted on theshaft for regulating the speed of one of the apparatuses to besynchronized, clutches mounted on the shaft in engagement with therotary switch elements, for transmitting the rotary motion of the shaftto the rotary switch, means including escapements operativcly associatedwith said rotary switch elements for limiting the rotation of the rotaryswitch elements, said escapements being actuated by electrical pulsesderived from the operation of the apparatuses being synchronized.

9. A synchronizing system comprising a switch operated by a controllingpparatus, a switch formed with a roller having a portion of its faceprovided with a non-conducting material, the

of pulses, a pair of escapements actuated by the electromagnets, each ofthe escapements operating one of a pair of gears, a two element rotarycontrol switch operatively associated with the gears, an independentlydriven, continuously rotated shaft supporting said rotary sch, therotary motion of the shaft transmitted to the rotary switch elements bymeans of friction drives, said friction drives rotating each rotaryswitch element on displacement of its escapement, the drives slip ing topermit rotation of the independently driven shaft, at such times as therotary motion of either rotary switch element is prevented by theescapement, the relative displacement of the rotary st itch elementsregulating the speed or the apparatus to be controlled.

JOSEPH A. WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file orthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 993,610 Mathelot et May 30, 19111,210,323 Janssens Dec. 26, 1915 1,362,876 Kozar Dec, 21, 1920 2,394,361Bruderlin Feb. 5, 1946

